Laboratory accessory equipment



June 6, 1967 E. D. PHILLIPS 3,323,874

LABORATORY ACCES SORY EQUIPMENT Filed Feb. 9, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR EDWIN D. PHILLIPS v WJW ATTORNEYS June 1-967 E. D. PHILLIPS 3,

LABORATORY ACCESSORY EQUIPMENT Filed Feb. 9, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR EDWIN D. PHILLIPS 13%; M JW ATTORNEYS June 6, 1967 E. D.PHILLIPS LABORATORY ACCESSORY EQUIPMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 9,1965 TIGJO INVENTOR EDWIN D. PH ILLIPS WJW ATTORNEYS June 6, 19 4 i E.D. PHILLIPS 3,

LABORATORY ACCESSORY EQUIPMENT Filed Feb. 9, 1965 l 4 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTOR EDWIN D. PHILLIPS ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofi ice3,323,874 Patented June 6, 1967 3,323,874 LABGRATORY ACCESSORY EQUIPMENTEdwin 1). Phillips, 170 Albert St., North Plaiufield, NJ. 07063 FiledFeb. 9, 1965, Ser. No. 431,382 24 Claims. c1. 23-292 The presentinvention relates broadly to improvements in articles of laboratoryequipment or accessory parts for laboratory apparatus.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide improvements inmethods and means of joining or coupling together accessory parts andelements of scientific apparatus such as is commonly used in all typesof laboratories.

More particularly, the invention has for an important object to provideimproved methods and means of joining together or coupling accessoryparts in such a way as to obtain positive leakproof contact between theparts.

Another object of the invention is to provide methods and means ofjoining or coupling accessory parts of laboratory apparatus whereby thecontracting surfaces of such parts will be so positively and firmly heldtogether as to remain leakproof under high vacuum when connected inpressure or vacuum lines.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improved accessoryunits for scientific and laboratory apparatus made entirely or in partof polytetrahaloethylene synthetic resin, polystyrene or other highmelting-point synthetic resins highly inert chemically and resistant tothe action of corrosive chemicals and which are generally form-retainingbut which are capable of yielding slightly under pressure and ofreturning to original shape when the pressure is relieved. One suchpolytetrahaloethylene synthetic resin preferred for use in theproduction of the accessory parts of the present invention ispolytetrafluoroethylene known and sold commercially by the E. I. du Pontde Nemours & Company under the name Teflon. This particular resin isknown to have a wax-like or soapy feel and to be self-polishing andself-lubricating when parts made therefrom are moved relative to oneanother under pressure. Such resin is also chemically stable underrelatively high temperatures such, for example, as 550 F. and physicallystable at temperatures approximating 300 F.

Another object of the invention is to provide methods and means ofjoining together or coupling accessory parts formed wholly or in part ofa synthetic resin such as that referred to, which are designed for quickand easy coupling and uncoupling one with another.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method and meansof joining together and maintaining the accessory parts together Withoutthe use of clamps, threaded elements or conventional tensioning devicesto draw or hold the parts together.

Still another, and specific, object is to provide an improved aperturedor tubular stopper and seal wherein the seal component is particularlydesigned for maintaining a tight leakoroof joint between the stopper anda thermometer or other rod-like body extending through the stopper.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved valve,stopper and seal formed throughout of Teflon.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved valvestructure and sealing structure for connection with a glass buret,separatory funnel or similar glass structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel synthetic resincoupling device designated for connecting together adjacent ends ofglass tubing and maintaining such tubing ends in coupled relation andsealed against leakage.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel syntheticresin plug valve unit designed to fit in a tapered glass valve barreland comprising a sleeve part to position in the glass barrel and arotatable plug part positioned in the sleeve part.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the description of the same proceeds and the invention willbe best understood from a consideration of the following detaileddescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming apart of the specification and wherein:

FIG, 1 is a perspective view of the top of a flask of the three necktype, showing positioned in one neck a plug and seal unit of syntheticresin constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially onthe line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates in perspective an all synthetic resin combinationvalve, stopper and seal showing the stopper in a flask neck and whereinthe valve plug is in the form of a straight cylinder.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially onthe line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing a seal structure formed throughout ofsynthetic resin, the parts of the seal structure being in section andalso showing an abraded end portion of a glass tube. I

FIG. 6 illustrates in longitudinal section an all-resin or all-Teflonburet valve or stopcock of the refill type, in combination with a sealsecuring a squared-01f end of a buret body coupled to the stopcock bythe seal.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 77 of FIG. 6and in a plane perpendicular to the length of the valve body.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view generally corresponding to FIG. 6 andillustrating the valve plug turned from the FIG. 7 position.

FIG. 8-A shows a modification of the seal of FIG. 8, in which the end ofthe buret is beaded.

FIG. 9 illustrates in section a portion of a sealing coupling forming apart of a synthetic resin buret stopcock, and the bottom end of a glassburet altered by removal of the usual of the conventional integral glassstopcock for connection by the illustrated seal with the all-syntheticresin or Teflon stopcock.

FIG. 10 illustrates the all-synthetic resin stopcock structure inlongitudinal section together with the coupling structure shown in FIG.9, with the threaded neck of the buret secured to the stopcock.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an all-synthetic resin coupling devicefor connecting together in fluid tight sealing connection the ends of apair of glass tubes.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 12-12of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a glass separatory funnel having theconventional glass stopcock plug replaced by the two-part syntheticresin plug of the present invention and showing the discharge tip of thefunnel supported in a synthetic resin adapter positioned in the neck ofa flask.

FIG. 14 is a vertical longitudinal section taken substantially on line14-14 of FIG. 13 and on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 15 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 15-15 ofFIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view illustrating the several parts of thesynthetic resin stopcock plug unit.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, it will be noted thatthere are illustrated a number of laboratory accessory devices each ofwhich embodies two or more individual cooperatively related parts.

Such devices are individually unique and each is formed of a syntheticresin of the type hereinbefore referred to and having the desiredcharacteristics hereinbefore enumerated.

As will be seen from the following description of these accessory partsor devices, while they are structurally different and each is novel orunique in itself, the parts of each of the devices are designed tocooperate in such a manner as to utilize the inherent characteristics ofthe synthetic resin for effecting in a novel manner a tight join or sealbetween the parts.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, the numeral generallydesignates a conventional type of laboratory flask which is here shownas being of the three neck variety but which may be of the varietyhaving one, two or more necks and this is illustrated merely to' showthe use of the plug and seal unit generally designated 12. It will beunderstood, of course, that this unit may be used in the neck of anyother type of receptacle where it may be found suitable.

The plug or stopper portion of the unit 12 is designated 14 and it isformed with the head 16 having formed therein from the top thereof thechamber 18, the wall of which chamber is screw threaded as indicated at20.

The numeral 22 designates a bore or passage extending axially throughthe plug body 14 and opening at its upper end into the chamber 18.Externally the body 14 below the head 16 is given the proper taper tofit into the neck portion 24 of the flask.

Threaded into the chamber 18 is a gland nut 26, the lower end portion ofwhich is externally screw threaded as indicated at 28 and through whicha bore 30 is formed. The top or head 32 of the gland nut may be ofcircular configuration and grooved or otherwise formed as indicatedat-34 to facilitate grasping the nut.

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the head portion 16 of the plug orstopper is also preferably externally scored or ribbed as indicatedat'36 to facilitate grasping the plug for effecting its insertion intoor extraction from the flask neck.

Adapted to position in the bottom of the chamber 18 is a gasket orpacking Washer 38. This washer is centrally apertured as shown and alsoit is of dished forma-' tion. Thus, the washer has a top convex side 40and a bottom concave side 42 and when placed in operative position inthe chamber for compression by the gland nut 26 the concave side isdirected downwardly so that the gland nut presses, when threadedinwardly, against the top of the convex side.

The entire plug and seal unit generally designated 12 isformed of thedesired or selected syntheticresin plastic, preferably Teflon ashereinbefore referred to.

This unit 12 may be employed for supporting a rod-like body inassociation with a flask or other structure in the manner shown. Suchbody may be in the form 'of athermometer as here shown and generallydesignated 40 and in suchcase the bores 22 and 30 and the aperturethrough the gasket 38 would be of the proper size to permit thethermometer body to slide therethroughuAfter' the thermometer has beenset to the proper position for locating the bulb in the flask, the glandnut may be threaded down so as to compress the gland packing orgasket38, the periphery of the gasket being squeezed against the wall of thechamber 18 while the edge of the opening through the gasket washer willbe squeezed tight around the thermometer" body, or other similar bodyextending therethrough, to form a secure joint and tight seal.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a combined all-synthetic resin valve orstopcock, seal joint and drip-tip stopper unit which is generallydesignated 42.

In the construction of this unit a suitable length of Teflon bar or rodis turned on a lathe to form intermediate its ends the substantiallyspherical valve body 44. One

4 end of the body of material is shaped to form the circular head 46,while the opposite end portion is shaped to form the stopper 48.

The exterior-of the stopper body is turned or shaped to have a suitabletaper to fit into a neck of a flask or other piece of glassware, thetaper being, of course, in the direction of the free end of the body ofmaterial from which the unit is formed and at the tapered or smaller endof the stopper body a terminal portion is turned down exteriorly to asmaller diameter to form the end piece 52 which is cut across obliquelyas indicated at 54 to provide a tapered tip 56.

The plug body 48 is hollowed or chambered as indicated at 58 whereby theplug is given a relatively thin wall 60 and the chamber extends, ofcourse, through the end piece 52 providing the outlet or dischargeopening 62 at the end of the plug.

The end of the unit opposite from the plug 48 has the gland nut chamber64 formed in the head portion 46 as shown, which chamber is screwthreaded as at 66 to receive the threaded portion of the gland nut 68,which portion is designated 70 while the head of the nut is desig nated72. This nut construction is the same as that described and mentionedwith the description of FIG. 2.

The chamber 64 is designed to receive the packing gland or washer 74which is the same in construction as the gland 38 and, accordingly, neednot be further described.

The numeral 76 designates a bore formed axially through the body of theunit 42, opening at one end into the chamber 64 and at the opposite endinto the chambered stopper 48.

Formed transversely through the valve or stopcock body 44 is a plug boreor chamber 78 which intersects the bore 76. This bore is cylindrical andstraight from end to end or is of constant diameter throughout itslength and is adapted to receive the plug or barrel 80, of the stopcock.The cylindrical plug 80 is formed oversize with respect to the diameterof the bore 78. It is preferably about oversize and accordingly, byreason of the quality of the synthetic resin to yield slightly underpressure the plug can be forced into the bore and will be tightlygripped by the slightly expanded body 44. As shown in FIG. 4, one end ofthe plug 80 is free or unobstructed, being of constant diameter to suchend whereby the said free end can be readily inserted into the bore. Atits opposite end the plug 80 is encircled by the collar 82 which limitsthe extent to which the plug can be forced into the bore and this collaris integral with the head portion 84 which, of course, forms an axialextension of the plug body and the head portion.84 is transversely boredto receive the cross arm 86 which may be of any suitable material but ispreferably of a rigid type of synthetic resin to facilitate manuallygrasping and rotating the plug body V 7 At the proper location from thecollar 82 of the plug body, there is formed through the plug body thetransverse passage which is adapted to be aligned with the bore 76 topermit free through flow of fluid from a source connected with the head46 toithe chamber of the stopper 48. p i

The. combination unit 4 2 ,isillustrated in connection with a tubularbody 90, an end of which body is secured.

by the seal and coupling in the chamber 60 in alignment withand incommunication with the upper end of the bore 76. V

While the illustrated seal will tightly grip the end of the tubular body9 0,when the gland washer is compressed thereabout, when the end of thebody 90 is extended into and through the bore 92 of the gland nut 68 andthrough the center of the gland washer, an additional means is providedto insure a tight connection which will prevent the tubular body frombeing pulled out, suchmeans being shown in detail and described inconnection with FIG. 5.

The tubular body may be that of a buret from which the conventionalstopcock and dispensing tip have been eliminated. In other words, withthe present invention in its several forms, one of which is here shownin FIGS. 3 and 4, the buret may be initially formed without a dispensingtip or without a stopcock and dispensing tip as an integral part thereofas it is in conventional laboratory glassware. Such dispensing tips orstopcocks and dispensing tips in conventional laboratory glasswarefrequently are struck and broken, thus making the buret useless whereasby the provision of the unit 42 here illustrated and other unitshereinafter described, a straight buret tube may be employed forperforming all of the operations which may be performed with aconventional all glass structure and in the event of the breakage of theburet tube the expense of replacement is relatively minor.

FIG. 5 illustrates, in detail, a joint and seal structure designed to beused in association with a number of different types of unit structuressuch as that illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive and in the figureshereinafter described. This joint and seal or coupler is particularlywell adapted for securing glass tubing or rods of glass to a Teflonvalve or stopcock or for securing together the ends of two pieces ofglass tubing as particularly illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. The seal orcoupler is illustrated in association with a chambered bodycorresponding to the bodies or heads 16 and 46. In this couplerstructure the chambered body is designated 94 and has therein thechamber 96 which leads into a passage or bore 98. The packing washer 100is of the same form as the washer 38 hereinbefore described while thethreaded gland nut is generally designated 102 and is of the sameconstruction as the nut 26 and those shown in other figures.

For efiecting a positive non-slipping coupling between the Teflon bodies100 and 102 and a glass rod or glass tube such as that shown anddesignated 104, the end of the rod or tube which is to be secured to thecoupler is roughened or abraded in a suitable manner as, for example, bythe use of a piece of emery cloth so as to form the roughened surface106. When the end of the tube or rod is gripped in the coupler by thecompressed gasket washer 100, it will be seen that the washer will beconstricted around the abraded surface 106 and thus the end of the tubeor rod cannot be pulled out until the gland nut is loosened.

FIGS. 6 to 8 inclusive illustrate another embodiment of the invention inthe form of a re-fill stopcock unit adapted for attachment to a straightburet tube for use in place of those burets having integral glassstopcocks and re-fill tubes. This unit is generally designated 108 andcomprises the valve plug body 116 connected with the head 112 and uponthe opposite side from the head the body is connected with therelatively long tapered discharge tip 114. The body of this unit 108 isformed from a single rod or bar of the synthetic resin plastic such asTeflon in the same manner as the body of the unit 42. In other words, asingle length of the synthetic resin material may be turned on a latheto form the spherical valve body 110 and the cylindrical head portion112. The long tapered tip 114 is also formed by a turning operation andmay be axially drilled to form the bore 116 which opens at its upper endinto the gasket chamber 118.

The numeral 120 designates the plug bore which is straight or ofconstant diameter throughout and which extends diametrically of the body110 intersecting the discharge bore or passage 116.

The numeral 122 designates the valve plug, the body portion of which iscylindrical and slightly oversized with respect to the bore 120, as inthe case of the plug 89.

The head end of the plug .122 is designated 124 and the end of the plugwhere it joins the head carries the encircling collar 126 which limitsthe extent of insertion of the plug into the bore. The opposite or footend of the plug 122 is extended and tapered OlT to form the connectortip 128 which is exteriorly ribbed as shown to insure firm connectionwith an end of a flexible tube which may be slipped thereon.

The barrel 122 is provided at the proper location with the transversethrough bore 13! for alignment with the passage 115. In addition, theouter or foot end 128 of the barrel is chambered as indicated at 132,which chamber opens through the end of the tip 128 while the oppositeend of the chamber communicates with a passage 134 which is offset fromthe transverse passage and opens through the side of the barrel at 136as shown whereby it may be put in communication with the passage 116when the barrel is rotated to set the transverse passage 130 at rightangles to the passage 116 as will be readily seen in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The numeral 138 designates a buret tube having a square end, which iscoupled to the head 112 of the stopcock of the unit 1&3 in a similarmanner to that illustrated in FIG. 4. The same seal and couplerstructure is employed as shown and which, accordingly, consists of thegasket 140 and the threaded gland nut 1 42. As shown, the lower endportion of the buret tube 138 is abraded or roughened at 144 and thuswhen the gland packing or gasket 140 is compressed by the nut 142, theabraided end of the tube will be firmly held.

The unit .108 is formed throughout of the selected synthetic resinplastic, preferably Teflon. Accordingly, it will be apparent that whenthe same is in use as a part of a buret the usual operations in which aburet is employed, can be readily carried out and due to the fact thatthe botom end structure, consisting of the unit 108, of the buret isformed throughout of Teflon, the ever present danger of breakage of thestopcock or discharge tip, when these parts are formed of glass, iscompletely eliminated. As hereinabove pointed out, in the event ofbreakage of the buret tube itself replacement thereof may be effectedeasily and quickly and at minimum expense.

FIG. 8-A illustrates another method of modifying the squared off end ofa tube, such as a buret tube, whereby to insure its firm connection to astopcock or other body by the seal or coupler.

In this construction, in FIG. 8A, the body which is chambered to receivethe gland nut is designated 94, while the gland nut is designated 192'and the gasket washer is designated 106. The tube 164 here shown has theend edge beaded slightly as indicated at 104" whereby it will be seenthat when the gasket is compressed therearound and against the bead, theend of the tube will be firmly held against withdrawal from the coupler.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate another form of the all-synthetic resin, orTeflon, stopcock and means of coupling the same to an end of a tubularglass body.

The glass body here illustrated may be the lower or bottom end of aglass buret which, instead of being formed with the conventionalintegral glass stopcock or valve structure, has its lower end screwthreaded for attachment thereto of the Teflon stopcock unit. In thesefigures the numeral 146 generally designates the glass tube, which, asstated, may be a buret tube. The lower end of this tube is drawn into aneck portion 148 through which the discharge passage 150 extends andexternally the neck is screw threaded as indicated at 152. The bot-tomend of the neck 148 is formed with the concave recess or seat 154.

The numeral 156 generally designates a plastic stopcock unit which likethe previously described units 42 and 188, is formed from a single pieceof the selected synthetic resin, having the barrel or body 158 toreceive the straight oversize valve plug 160 which is transversely boredat 162 to form the necessary passage for communication with or alignmentwith the outlet passage 164 which in the stopcock structure here shownextends through the relatively long tapered tip 166 corresponding to thetip 114.

The upper end of the unit 156 is formed with the relatively long neckportion 168 through which the passage 166 continues to open through thetop end of this portion.

The top end of the neck portion has the dome shaped head 170, the topsurface of which is designated 172 and has the same curvature. as theseat 154 in which it is adapted to be positioned.

The head 170 is of materially greater diameter than the neck 168 of theplug body thus providing or forming the under surface or flange surface174- and adjacent to the neck 168 this surface is cut away to form theannular channel 176 which encircles the neck as shown.

The head 170 together with the flange forming periphery thereof thusforms a type of gasket similar to the gasket 38 and the other gasketshereinbefore described, to be compressed, in the manner about to bedescribed, by the recess end of the neck 148 which in this constructionfunctions as a gland nut.

The numeral 178 designates a cylindrical receptacle which corresponds tothe gland nut receiving head 4-6 of the unit 42 or the head 12 of theunit shown in FIG. 2. This receptacle has the chamber 180 formedtherein, the wall of which is screw threaded as indicated at 182 and thediameter of the chamber is such as to receive the threaded neck portion148.

The receptacle 178 has a bottom which is formed the aperture 136.

Upon the inner side of the bottom 184 the aperture 186 is encircled bythe angular rib 188 which is of the proper circumference to enter thechannel 180 when the parts are assembled in the manner about to bedescribed.

In assembling the stopcock unit and a buret tube such as thatillustrated or another glass tube of corresponding form and having theexteriorly threaded neck 148, it will be seen that the receptacle may bethreaded onto the neck 148 after the head 170 of the neck extension 168of the valve plug body, has been inserted through the opening 186 to theinterior of the receptacle. By turning the receptacle in the fashion ofa nut, on the buret neck 148 the recessed end of this neck and theconvex surface of 184 in the center of the head 170 will be'drawntogether and the head flange may be tightly compressed against the innerside of the bottom 184 of the receptacle with the rib 188 tightlypressed into the annular channel 176, thereby forming a strong fiuidtight seal.

In the formation of the receptacle body 178 and the head 170 of the neckportion 168 of the plug body 158,

the diameter of the aperture 186 and the overall diameterof the head 170are so dimensioned that the head may be forced through the aperture 186to the assembled position in which it is illustrated.

This may be easily accomplished by reason of the fact that the syntheticresin plastic of which the parts are formed, is of a resilient yieldingnature, the aperture expanding sufiiciently under force and the flangeof the head 171 being compressed also by force to permit the head topass through the aperture.

FIGS. 9 and illustrate a coupler unit designed to facilitate the easyand quick connection of ends of glass tubing to provide a firm leakproofjoint therebetween. This coupling unit which is generally designated 1%is a twin form of the hereinbefore described seal or coupler such as isillustrated in FIG. 5. In this twin coupler the numeral 192 generallydesignates an elongate barrel body having each of the ends formed withthe gasket chamber 194. These chambers open in opposite directionsthrough the adjacent ends of the body and are connected at their innerends by the axial passage 196 formed in the middle portion of the body192.

Each chamber 194 is screw threaded as indicated at 198 to receive thethreaded end portion 200 of a gland nut 202. In each of the chambers 194one or more packing gland washers 204 is positioned. These washers areof the same dished form or concavo-convex form as the washer or gasket1G0 and each of the gland nuts has an axial passage 296 therethroughwhich aligns with and coincides with the aperture of the washer 204 atthe inner end of the nut and which passage and washer aperture are ofthe proper diameter to have an end of a tube of glass or the like,designated 2198, extended therethrough.

It will, of course, be apparent that the entire twin coupler unitillustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 is formed throughout of the selectedsynthetic resin material.

The passages 266 through the gland nuts 2G2 and the openings in thepacking washers 284 are slightly less in diameter than the outsidediameter of the tube 208 which is to be extended therethrough. Thematerial, will of course, yield under the proper amount of force topermit the tubes to be inserted as illustrated and after the dispositionof the open ends of the tubes in the manner shown, that is, with suchends against the bottom of the chambers, the tube ends may be tightlygripped by threading the gland nuts inwardly to compress the washers204. If additional assurance is desired of the maintenance of thecoupling against separation by the ends of the tubes coming out of thepacking glands, the exterior surface of the tube at each end may beabraded or roughened as illustrated at 106 in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 to 16 inclusive there is illustrated andgenerally designated 210, a valve or stopcock rotary plug assemblyformed of synthetic resin plastic and adapted to be used in glasswaremade with a tapered plug glass barrel for receiving a tapered groundglass rotary plug of conventional form.

With the rotary plug assembly illustrated, use may be made of theconventional tapered glass barrel which may be internally frosted butwherein a grindingin of a glass rotary plug to fit such barrel is notrequired since the rotary plug assembly 210 of the present invention isso designed that it may be installed in a glass barrel and the straightcylindrical plug part thereof made to have a tight seating in itscarrying outer part.

In the figures illustrating the use of the Teflon stopcock assembly 210there is shown a conventional type of laboratory glassware which isgenerally designated 212 and which, as shown, represents a 'separatoryfunnel. The body of the funnel 212 has the conventional neck portion 214in which is shown fitted a hollow Teflon stopper 216. The bottom end ofthe funnel body is formed with the conventional tapered glass barrel 218for the reception of a rotary glass plug.

Also formed integrally with the funnel body and forming an actualextension of the lower side of the barrel 218 is the conventionaldropping tip 220 formed of glass and cut obliquely at its lower end asshown to form the usual tip 222.

The improved synthetic resin plug assembly 210 comprises an outer sleevepart 224 which at its smaller end is extended in the solid exteriorlyscrew threaded stud 226 designed to receive a nut 228 of resin material.

The sleeve 224 is externally tapered to conform approximately to thetaper of the glass barrel interior a shown in FIG. 15 while internallythe sleeve is provided with the straight cylindrical plug chamber 230which opens through the larger end of the tapered sleeve and is closedat its inner end, thereby forming a blind bore.

The wall of the tapered sleeve 224 is provided with the diametricallyopposite longitudinally elongated apertures or slots 232 for the passageof fluid therethrough from the funnel body to the tube 220 through therotary plug 234.

The plug 234 is of solid cylindrical form and is of constant diameterthroughout its length and is slightly oversize with respect to the bindbore forming the plug chamber 230. The outer end of the plug 234 isformed with the head portion 236 through which is extended a cross amr238 which also is of resin material by preference.

At the outer end of the plug body 234 the body is encircled by thecollar 240 which limits its extension into the plug chamber 230 as willbe seen in FIG. 14 and the plug is provided with the diametrical flowpassage 9 236 which aligns with the apertures 232 of the sleeve bodywhen the plug is fully inserted into the chamber.

As will be readily appreciated, the stopcock rotary plug assembly 210 isself-seating or self-conforming in the tapered interior of the glassbarrel 218, In installing the assembly, the sleeve 224 is introducedinto the glass barrel and a suitable washer 236" of the selectedsynthetic resin, may then be placed upon the stud 226 after which thenut 228 is threaded onto the stud and when drawn up tightly against thewasher which is seated against the small end of the barrel 218, thesleeve 224 will be drawn in and will fit itself or seat itself in thebarrel.

As previously stated, the blind bore or chamber 230 of the sleeve willbe made of a diameter slightly smaller by about or of an inch, than therotary plug 234. The rotary plug is then forced into the chamber 230,the material of the sleeve and the plug yielding slightly to permit thetwo parts to be assembled in this manner, until the collar 240 comesinto position against the outer and larger end of the sleeve. Due to thepeculiar self-lubricating quality of Teflon and similar synthetic resinmate rials, it will be seen that the plug may be rotated within thebarrel sleeve 234, without eflort and will maintain a fluid tight seal.

The drop tube 220 extending from the glass barrel portion of the funnelis extended through the axial passage 242 in the top of an adapterstopper which is generally designated 244. This stopper is of syntheticresin plastic, preferably Teflon, and the lower portion of the stopperis hollow or chambered as indicated at 146 whereby it may be made to fittightly in the neck 248 of a necked receptacle as shown.

The upper end of the dropping tube 220 may be abraded as indicated at250 to insure a tight non-slipping connection with the adapter stopper,the bore 242 in this case also being a few thousandths of an inchsmaller in diameter than the outside diameter of the tube whereby thetight leakproof joint will be established between the adapter and thetube.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there is provided in the presentinvention, in association with a number of different forms of laboratoryaccessory units, formed of synthetic resin plastic of the characterstated, new and novel means of effecting tight leakproof joints orcouplings between interconnected or interdigitating parts, the joints orconnections being in some instances maintained firmly against separationas well as being leakproof and in other instances being maintained topermit interfitting parts to be moved, rotated or shifted one withrespect to the other while maintaining the leakproof associationdesired.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms Without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the presentembodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since thescope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than bythe description preceding them, and all changes that fall Within themetes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as Well asconjointly cooperative equivalents, are therefore intended to beembraced by those claims.

I claim:

1. An article of laboratory equipment adapted to be coupled to anarticle of laboratory glassware, said article of equipment comprising anelongate body having a bore formed longitudinally therethrough, saidbody having a chamber therein at one end thereof, the chamber having anopen top and having a bottom and said bore opening into said chamberthrough said bottom, said chamber being adapted to have a part of anarticle of laboratory glassware introduced thereinto, separate pressuredistortable clamping and sealing within said chamber at the bottomthereof, and means within said chamber for applying pressure to saiddistortable means to compress and distort the distortable means againstthe bottom of the chamber and against the said introduced part of theglassware to thereby form a fluid tight seal between said body and thesaid part of the article of glassware, and said body and said pressuredistortable means being formed of a synthetic resin plastic of highmelting point and being inert chemically and'resistant to the action ofcorrosive chemicals.

2. The invention as defined by claim 1, wherein the said synthetic resinplastic is Teflon.

3. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said body is externallytapered through the major portion of the length thereof from adjacent tothe chambered end to the opposite end, and said tapered portion being ofexternally circular cross section and forming a flask stopper.

4. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said body is formedintermediate its ends as a stopcock plug barrel, said plug barrel beingcylindrical and of constant diameter throughout its length, and astraight cylindrical transversely bored rotary plug retained undercompression in said barrel.

5. An article of laboratory equipment comprising an elongate body ofTeflon and having a portion of one end formed as a head, the bodytapering from said head forming portion to the opposite end thereof andforming a flask stopper, said head having a chamber therein openingthrough the adjacent end of the body, the body having an axial boretherethrough opening into said chamber, said chamber being internallyscrew threaded, a separate annular gasket within the chamber at thebottom thereof and a gland nut threaded into the chamber and having anaxial bore therethrough aligned with the first named bore, said boresbeing designed to have a rod-like body extended therethrough and passingthrough said gasket, and said gland nut when threaded into said chambercompressing said gasket in the bottom of the chamber for establishing afluid tight seal with a'body extending through the gland nut and thestopper bore.

6. The invention according to claim 5, wherein the said gasket and thegland nut are also formed of Teflon and said gasket is of concave-convexform.

7. An article of laboratory equipment comprising a stopcock having abody portion, a top head portion, and an oppositely extending bottomportion, said body top portion having a chamber formed therein andopening through the adjacent end of the body, the chamber beinginternally screw threaded, a separate apertured gasket washer within thebottom portion of the chamber, a gland nut threaded into the chamberthrough the open top thereof, said gland nut having an axial passagetherethrough aligned with said Washer, said body having a longitudinalpassage therethrough opening at an upper end into the chamber inalignment with the gland nut passage, the body having a transverselyextending bore therethrough of circular cross section and of constantdiameter from one end to the other and forming a rotary plug barrel, acylindrical plug in said barrel having a transverse bore adapted toalign with said axial passage in one position of rotation of the plug,and said body, top head portion, bottom portion and rotary plug togetherwith said washer and said gasket nut being formed of Teflon.

8. The invention according to claim 7, wherein said rotary plug has aninitial circumferential size slightly larger than said barrel and ismaintained under compression in the barrel.

9. A laboratory stopcock comprising an elongate body having a middleportion formed with a plug bore extending transversely therethrough,said bore being of circular cross section and of constant diameterthroughout a straight rotary plug in and extending through said bore,said plug having a head on one end and a collar adjacent to the head andof a larger diameter than said bore, said collar limiting the extent ofinsertion of the plug into said bore, the plug body having a passageextending diametriasaasva cally therethrough, said body having a portionof one end formed to provide a head, said head having a chamber thereinopening through the adjacent end of the body, the elongate body havingan axial passage therethrough opening into said chamber and adapted foralignment with the said radial bore of the plug, means for securing anend of an elongate body of laboratory glassware in said chambercomprising a separate gland washer positioned in said chamber at thebottom thereof and having an aperture aligned with the axial passage ofthe body and a gland nut, said chamber lbeing screw threaded and saidgland nut being threaded for threaded engagement in said chamber and thegland nut having a passage axially therethrough, and said body, rotaryplug, gland nut and gland washer being formed entirely of Teflon.

10. The invention according to claim 9, wherein the said body has itsopposite end extended to form a buret type dispensing tip.

11. The invention according to claim 9, wherein the said body has theopposite end from said head extended from said middle portion in theform of a tapered flask stopper.

12. The combination with a buret tube of glass having a square-cut lowerend, of a refill stopcock comprising an elongate unit having a head atone end, a middle portion forming a valve plug body and an elongateopposite end portion, said plug body having a plug bore therethroughperpendicular to the length of the unit and of constant diameterthroughout, an elongate rotary plug having a head at one end, a middleportion fitting in and under compressed tension in said plug bore forrotation therein and an elongate terminal portion, said unit head havinga chamber therein opening through the adjacent end of the unit, the unithaving a fluid flow passage extending axially therethrough from andopening into the chamber to the end of said elongate end portion andintersecting said plug bore, said plug middle portion having atransverse passage located to align with said fluid flow passage in oneposition of rotation of the rotary plug, said rotary plug having anotherpassage therein which opens at one end through the end of said terminalportion and opens at its other end through the side of the plug at alocation to align with said flow passage in another rotational positionof the rotary plug, said buret tube having said square-cut endpositioned in said chamber for discharge into the adjacent end of theflow passage, and gland packing and packing nut means in said chambersealing said end of the buret tube therein and said unit, the rotaryplug, the gland and gland nut being formed throughout of a syntheticresin plastic.

13. The invention according to claim 12, wherein the stated syntheticresin plastic is Teflon.

14. The invention according to claim 12, wherein said square-cut end ofthe buret tube has an abraded outer surface and said gland packing is inthe form of an annular member encircling the abraded end of the tube andsaid nut is threaded in the chamber and compresses and deforms thewasher against the abraded end of the tube and against a surface of thechamber.

15. The combination with a straight buret tube of glass having asquare-cut lower end, of a stopcock comprising an elongate unit having aportion of one end forming a head, a middle portion forming a valve plugbody and an elongate opposite end portion, said plug body having a plugbore therethrough perpendicular to the length of the unit and ofconstant diameter throughout, an elongate rotary plug having a head atone end and fitting in and under compressed tension in said plug borefor rotation therein, the plug having an encircling collar of largerdiameter than the bore and separating the body of the plug from the headportion thereof, the unit having a fluid flow passage extending axiallytherethrough from and opening into said chamber to the 'end of saidelongate portion and intersecting said plug bore, said plug having atransverse passage located in the bore enclosed portion thereof to alignwith said fluid flow passage in one posialignment with tion .of rotationof the rotary plug, the said buret tube having the said square-cut. endpositioned in said cham* her in alignment with and for discharge intothe adjacent end of the flow passage, and gland packing and nut means insaid chamber in encircling relation with the adjacent end of said tubeand sealing the said end of the buret tube therein, and said unit, saidrotary plug, gland and gland nut all being formed throughout of asynthetic resin plastic.

16. The invention according to claim 15, wherein said synthetic resinplastic is Teflon and wherein the said end of the tube is roughened inthe area thereof encircled by the gland packing for establishing anon-slipping coupling.

17. The invention according to claim 15, wherein said gland packing isin the form of a concavo-convex washer encircling the said end of theburet tube with the convex side directed downwardly and the said end ofthe tube is formed with a lip or bead lying between the gland packingand the bottom portion of the chamber.

18. The combination with a glass buret tube having a lower end portionin the form of a reduced exteriorly threaded neck extension, of astopcock comprising an elongate unit having a middle portion forming avalve plug body, a longitudinal lower end portion and an elongatelongitudinal upper end neck portion terminating in a circular head, arotary plug bore extending through said valve plug body and having aconstant diameter throughout its length, a head member having a chambertherein with an open top and having a bottom, said unit, the lower endportion, said neck and head and the head member all being formed of anelastomer type synthetic resin plastic, said bottom of the chamberhaving an aperture therethrough adapted to have said circular headforcibly passed therethrough to position the said upper end neck portionin said aperture whereby said head member is rotatable on and about saidneck portion, said chamber being screw threaded and adapted tothreadably receive said threaded neck extension of the buret tube, saidportion of the buret tube when threaded into the chamber, compressingthe said circular head in the bottom part of the chamber to form a fluidtight seal, the said unit having a fluid flow passage axiallytherethrough and opening at one end into said chamber and intersectingsaid rotary valve plug bore and opening at its opposite end through theend of said longitudinal lower end portion of the unit, a cylindricalplug within and under compression in said valve plug bore and having adiametrical passage therethrough for said fluid flow passage in onerotary position of'the plug, and means carried by one end of the rotaryplug for facilitating grasping and turning the same.

19. The invention according to claim 18, wherein the synthetic resinplastic is Teflon.

20. The invention according to claim 18, wherein said circular head isof substantially greater diameter than the said aperture in the bottomof the chamber and the head has a domed top surface and the said lowerend portion of the buret has a concavity to receive said domed topsurface.

21. A coupling and seal unit adapted for connecting together two ends ofglass tubing, comprising an elongate body having a middle portion andend portions, a chamber in each end portion, said chambers havingcontiguous bottoms separated by said middle portion, said middle portionhaving an axial bore therethrough opening into said chambers through thebottoms of the latter, the chambers having opposite open ends at theadjacent ends of the body, a separate substantially concavo-convexcentrally apertured gland washer in each chamber with the concave sidefacing the bottom of the chamber, an axially bored gland nutintroducible into each chamber through the open end of the latter, andmeans for securing each gland nut in its respective chamber and fordrawing the nut inward against and to compress the gland washer therein,the gland nuts and washers being adapted each to have an end portion ofa tube extended therethrough to be secured 13 in a chamber in alignmentwith an end of said axial passage, and said gland washers, gland nutsand elongate body being formed of the synthetic resin Teflon.

22. A synthetic resin plastic rotary valve plug assembly for use in atapered rotary valve plug barrel of glass; said assembly comprising anelongate sleeve having a threaded solid axial stud extension on one end,the sleeve being tapered from its other end to the locus of joinder withthe said stud extension, the sleeve being adapted for extension, smallend first, into a tapered plug barrel of glass, the sleeve having ataper substantially conforming to that of a plug barrel into which it isto be fitted for use and having an overall length such that said studprojects beyond the small end of the receptive barrel, the sleeve havingtherein a blind plug bore of constant diameter extending from the largerend of the sleeve and terminating a substantial distance short of thestud carrying end of the sleeve, a rotary plug extending into said bore,the plug and bore being so relatively dimensioned as to require forcibleinsertion of the plug into the bore against yielding resilientresistance of the sleeve, the plug and said sleeve having diametralopenings alignable by rotation of the plug within the sleeve bore andadapted to be aligned with diametral openings in a tapered glass barrelin which the sleeve is fitted, a nut threaded on said stud and having anoverall diameter greater than the adjacent small end of said sleevewhereby axial pressure may be imposed 14 against the adjacent end of aglass barrel enclosing the sleeve to draw the sleeve into a tight fit inthe barrel.

23. The invention according to claim 22, wherein the said sleeve, stud,plug and nut are formed entirely of Teflon.

24. The invention according to claim 22, with a washer on the stud andinterposed between said nut and the small end of the sleeve and havingan overall diameter materially greater than the diameter of the smallend of the sleeve and the said sleeve, stud, plug, and nut and washerbeing formed throughout of the synthetic resin plastic Teflon.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 658,250 9/1900 Erfmann 23292 X1,725,975 8/1929 Bystricky 285340 2,816,743 12/1957 Kirkland 23292 X2,988,321 6/1961 Gilmont 23-292 X 3,195,856 7/1965 Arrison 251-368 OTHERREFERENCES Fisher Scientific Co. Catalog #63, Modern LaboratoryAppliances, p. 959.

MORRIS O. WOLK, Primary Examiner.

J. H. TAYMAN III, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN ARTICLE OF LABORATORY EQUIPMENT ADAPTED TO BE COUPLED TO ANARTICLE OF LABORATORY GLASSWARE, SAID ARTICLE OF EQUIPMENT COMPRISING ANELONGATE BODY HAVING A BORE FORMED LONGITUDINALLY THERETHROUGH SAID BODYHAVING A CHAMBER THEREIN AT ONE END THEREOF, THE CHAMBER HAVING AN OPENTOP AND HAVING A BOTTOM AND SAID BORE OPENING INTO SAID CHAMBER THROUGHSAID BOTTOM, SAID CHAMBER BEING ADAPTED TO HAVE A PART OF AN ARTICLE OFLABORATORY GLASSWARE INTRODUCED THEREINTO, SEPARATE PRESSURE DISTORTABLECLAMPING AND SEALING WITHIN SAID CHAMBER AT THE BOTTOM THEREOF, ANDMEANS WITHIN SAID CHAMBER FOR APPLYING PRESSURE TO SAID DISTORTABLEMEANS TO COMPRESS AND DISTORT THE DISTORTABLE MEANS AGAINST THE BOTTOMOF THE CHAMBER AND AGAINST THE SAID INTRODUCED PART OF THE GLASSWARE TOTHEREBY FORM A FLUID TIGHT SEAL BETWEEN SAID BODY AND THE SAID PART OFTHE ARTICLE OF GLASSWARE, AND SAID BODY AND SAID PRESSURE DISTORTABLEMEANS BEING FORMED OF A SYNTHETIC RESIN PLASTIC OF HIGH MELTING POINTAND BE-